Delivery-by-drone took another step to becoming a reality after the UK government granted Amazon permission to trial the technology.

The online retail giant is hoping to understand how drones can be used safely and reliably in the logistics industry, with the eventual goal of delivering parcels within 30 minutes.

Paul Misener, Amazon’s vice president of global innovation policy and communications, believes that drone deliveries would improve customer experience, create new jobs in the rapidly growing drone industry, and spearhead new sustainable delivery methods.

He added: “The UK is charting a path forward for drone technology that will benefit consumers, industry and society.”

The UK Civil Aviation Authority’s policy director Tim Johnson said that the tests would help inform its policy and future approach towards integrating drones into the overall aviation system.

Amazon has been exploring ways to get products to customers in the shortest possible amount of time, with its Prime Now service capable of fulfilling orders on 15,000 items within an hour, depending on the area.

Its quickest delivery so far was 15 minutes, from order confirmation to physical delivery.